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The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: Discovering a happy, healthy, wealthy alcohol-free life

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Description

Going sober will make you happier, healthier, wealthier, slimmer and sexier. Despite all of these upsides, it's easier said than done. This inspirational, aspirational and highly relatable narrative champions the benefits of sobriety; combining the author's personal experience, factual reportage, contributions from experts and self-help advice. Ever sworn off alcohol for a month and found yourself drinking by the 7th? Think there's 'no point' in just one drink? Welcome! There are millions of us. Catherine Gray was stuck in a hellish whirligig of Drink, Make horrible decisions, Hangover, Repeat. She had her fair share of 'drunk tank' jail cells and topless-in-a-hot-tub misadventures. But this book goes beyond the binges and blackouts to deep-dive into uncharted territory: What happens after you quit drinking? This gripping, heart-breaking and witty book takes us down the rabbit-hole of an alternative reality. A life with zero hangovers, through sober weddings, sex, Christmases and breakups. In The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, Catherine Gray shines a light on society's drink-pushing and talks to top neuroscientists and psychologists about why we drink, delving into the science behind what it does to our brains and bodies. Much more than a tale from the netherworld of addicted drinking, this book is about the escape, and why a sober life can be more intoxicating than you ever imagined. Whether you're a hopelessly devoted drinker, merely sober-curious, or you've already ditched the drink, you will love this book. "An icon of the Quit Lit movement" - Condé Nast Traveller "Brave, witty and brilliantly written" - Marie Claire "Catherine Gray is an exceptional writer. Her exquisitely crafted thoughts on the joys of being sober are not only deeply honest and pragmatic, but she manages to infuse tons of humor. This is a delightful, informative, and compelling read for all those who are sober or seeking sobriety." - Sasha Tozzi, Huffington Post columnist "Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying" - Alice O'Keeffe, Guardian Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aster (December 18, 2018)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1912023385


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 87


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.5 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1.05 x 7.75 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #5,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #7 in Journalist Biographies #21 in Alcoholism Recovery #263 in Personal Transformation Self-Help


#7 in Journalist Biographies:


#21 in Alcoholism Recovery:


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Sunday, Nov 3

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • It's like I wrote this book
I relate to everything this author has shared in this book. Wow, I'm pretty sure I will be reading this again. An amazing book and so NOT boring. It isnt filled with a bunch of BS statistics and confusing scientific garbage. It is so hard to explain how good this book is. If you are struggling or have a friend that is struggling, this is a MUST! Whoever reads this regardless, will not feel alone anymore. ♥ ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024 by JRstar

  • Highly recommend
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to decrease or eliminate their alcohol consumption. Catherine is vulnerable, honest, and transparent. Her writing feels like talking to a friend (with a bit of science and data thrown in). At no point did I feel shame or judgement. The sections of the book are broken up into short stories and pieces, so it can be read quickly and digested without a large time investment. I highly recommend. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2023 by ILoveMath

  • Read 5 books on reducing alcohol consumption - this was the best by far
Well written - reads like a novel but makes you question the role of alcohol in your life & particularly the health risks of any consumption at all. I exercise 5-7 times a week play golf pretty much every day have an annual medical check up and have been vegetarian for over 40 years -BUT when I understood that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption I decided to stop my relatively modest intake - this book was the best by far in helping me. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2022 by Swiss Quality

  • Enjoyed this book.
The author was great at telling her experience.
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2023 by Regi Taylor

  • My favorite quit lit book on the market
I have been dealing with some degree of problematic drinking for years. I don't drink often, but when I do it's all out. About 3 years ago I knew this was escalating and could become a bigger problem. We had moved to a lake house where the vibe is "party all day every day". I've always been an avid fitness enthusiast, enjoyed healthy eating and spending time with my family. Drinking heavily doesn't work with those values. Anyway, I started seeking resources to help me try to change my drinking, or quit drinking. I bought this book about about 6 others in a short period of time and read them all. This was by far my favorite. Catherine adds a humorous twist to her writing style that makes it easy to read and feels like a friend is telling you a story. There are plenty of personal anecdotes and lots of great practical advice ("30 tools for the first 30 days" is my favorite). She also makes me excited to not drink. It's not this change to dread, it's a choice that leads to so much happiness and goodness. She actually gets me excited to not drink. I use this book for fuel when I am feeling tempted. I have not reached my 100% long term goal of not drinking at all, but I have cut back about 80%, averaging drinking once a month. I just restarted this book for the 4th time with the intention of being completely alcohol free. It's July, when all the social things are happening, but I'm reading this (and some other quit lit) as ammunition to get through the summer happily sober. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2022 by Aundrea Aundrea

  • Amazing read.
Newly sober, and related more than I’d like to admit. Well worth the read.
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2023 by Victoria

  • Drinkers need a headline too. This book is for you.
Who writes reviews about books like this? I do. This book has helped me understand so many underlining issues that occur with your first taste of alcohol to your last...if you are lucky enough to still be alive and well enough to stop. The main thing to know about this book, she writes with her heart and walks you through such a mess, whose life is this anyway? It's yours. Mine...those of us who fall victim to the believe alcohol is just a substance made from nature. Hangovers go away right? She dives into the metaphysical on this one that I had never seen before. Her book is riveting and her silly British humors drove me to work some of the exercises to help cope with my addiction, they aren't that difficult and sadly easier to do than any recovery day. The good news is that you can recover and so can your body from the damages reaped upon you, she explains this process in surprising detail. This is a must read book if you don't want to be preached to; if AA has no meaning for your generation, and belief system - she found a way and so can you. Finally, the last part of the book digs deep into the commercialization and acceptance theory of this particular substance. She illustrates how politically and commercially powerful and oppressive this addiction can be. Make no mistake, an uphill battle for all of us afflicted with this disorder. Good Luck. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2022 by Echo5Tango

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